CFP: Moralizing after Postmodernism (9/30/05; collection)

CFP: The Mourning after: Moralizing at the Wake of Postmodernism (essaycollection).

Although the body is still warm, it is becoming increasingly apparent thatpostmodernism, in the words of Linda Hutcheon, "has passed" and that a newcultural dominant is emerging in its place. Abstracts are sought for a volumeof essays tentatively titled The Mourning After: Moralizing at the Wake ofPostmodernism. The volume will be published (pending approval of final papers)in Hans Bertens and Theo D'haen's ongoing series, Postmodern Studies. Papersshould explore the newly emergent strategies present in the cultural productionof the late 20th and early 21st centuries, considering such things as the riseof neo-conservatism and the apparent return of a climate in which it is onceagain acceptable to moralize and/or appeal to 'The Truth.' From Mel Gibson'sThe Passion of the Christ to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, this moralizingtrend has taken form on both sides of the political spectrum. Obvious examplesinclude the growing dominance of a type of neo-realism and the rejection ofpostmodern anti-foundationalism in favor of certain 'renewed' humanist and/orreligious assumptions. While we expect to see papers that focus on traditional'literary texts,' explorations of other narrative forms (film, music, videogames) will also be of interest.

Please e-mail abstracts of no more than 500 words to Neil Brooks(nbrooks_at_uwo.ca) or Josh Toth (jtoth3_at_uwo.ca) by September 30, 2005. Authorswhose abstracts have been selected will be asked to submit full papers (byMarch 1, 2006); however, ultimate determination of inclusion in the volume willbe based on the final paper.